Pax Occidentalis

Pax Occidentalis is a d20 roleplaying game set in an alternate history of the late Victorian period.

Overview
The history of the Pax Occidentalis world diverges in several critical ways from that of the world we know -


 * In 1782, Thomas Jefferson is at the Philadelphia docks, awaiting the preparations of the fast frigate Zephyr, which is to ferry him to France, where he is to become the minister representing the Continental Congress. Despite cautions the weather was not ideal for sailing, Jefferson insisted.  A lightning strike causes several barrels of gunpowder to explode, destroying the ship and killing everyone on board.  Only the crewmen still dockside survive.  Jefferson is among those dead.  His death would decimate support for the strongest anti-monarchical factions in the Colonies.
 * In 1787, a new Constitutional Convention was summoned as the deep flaws in the Articles of Confederation become increasingly apparent. During debate on the structure of the new government, popular opinion favors offering George Washington a crown and forming a constitutional monarchy.  The motion carries with overwhelming support among the delegates, and after two weeks of personal reflection and consideration, Washington accepts.
 * In 1788, on 21 June, the new constitution is formally ratified, and George Washington assumes the newly created Throne of the Americas as King George I of the Federated Kingdom. The day is now remembered as Constitution Day.
 * In 1790, in consultation with his advisers, George I issues a Royal decree formally abolishing all forms of slavery and indentured serviture within the Federated Kingdom. The decree also granted full citizenship to said freedmen, as well as to the Native Americans.  The resolution is backed by formal legislation passed by Congress one month later.  The government mollifies the southern cotton and tobacco barons by ensuring increased industrial investment to make up for the losses in manpower.
 * In 1811, George I is succeeded after a 22 year reign by his adopted son, George Washington Parke Custis, as George II.
 * The War of 1812 never occurred in this timeline.
 * In 1855, the Federated Kingdom would enter a formal diplomatic and military alliance with the United Kingdom. The document sealing this relationship, the Treaty of Southampton, was signed on 31 March 1855 by FK foreign secretary William Macy, Baron Sturbridge, and UK foreign secretary George Villiers, Earl Clarendon.
 * In 1857, George II is succeeded after a 46-year reign by his second grandson, William Henry Fitzhugh Lee-Washington, as William I.
 * The American Civil War never occurred in this timeline.
 * In 1879, King William I dies in the twenty-first year of his reign after having been stricken by a heart condition. He is succeeded by his eldest son, 21-year old William Edward James Lee-Washington, as King William II.
 * The current year is 1885. In London, Queen Victoria is in the forty-eighth year of her reign.  In Philadelphia, King William II is in the sixth year of his reign.

The Monarchy
Since its inception, the royal family of the Federated Kingdom has been the House of Washington. As of current year, there have been four monarchs of the line, including the present occupant.

Throughout the year, the monarch stays at different residences depending on the period. These moves follow a tradition established by George I himself. From just after New Years through Midsummer, the monarch will be in residence at Belhurst Palace, the principle royal residence in Philadelphia. From Midsummer through mid-August, they will be in residence at Goldacre House on Mount Desert Island in Maine. From mid-August through the end of October, they will again be in residence at Belhurst. From the first of November through New Years, they will be in residence at the royal family's private estate of Mount Vernon. It is here that the royal family gathers for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The return of the monarch to the capital just after the New Year marks the official beginning of the annual social season, when the aristocracy and gentry will shift from their country homes (considered their principal residences) to their townhomes in Philadelphia. This period of the year is marked by numerous social events, where the aristocracy and other well-to-do gather to socialise and discuss politics. Similarly, it is in mid-January when the monarch presides over the yearly State Opening of Congress.

King William II has reigned over the Federated Kingdom since the death of his father, William I, who reigned from the death of George II in 1857 until his own passing in 1879, aged 42, from sudden heart failure. William II was born at Mount Vernon on 9 May 1857 and was 21 when he ascended to the throne.

The King's style in full is William II, by the Grace of God of the Federated Kingdom of North America and of His other Realms and Territories King, Fount of Law and Order, Protector of the People, Defender of the Faith. In tandem with their occupancy of the Throne of the Americas, the monarch is also the Supreme Governor of the United Church of America (UCA), the Episcopalian faith, and a part of the Anglican Communion.

Government

 * Executive
 * Head of State - the King
 * Board of Chamberlains
 * Board of Stewards
 * Privy Secretariat
 * Head of Government - the Prime Minister
 * Cabinet
 * Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Foreign Office)
 * Secretary of State for Home Affairs (Home Office)
 * Secretary of State for War (War Office)
 * Secretary of State for Works (Works Office)
 * President of the Local Government Board
 * President of the Trade & Navigation Board
 * President of the Treasury Board
 * Attorney General
 * Postmaster General
 * Solicitor General


 * Legislative
 * Senate - The upper house of the Congress, consisting of 320 peers (80 hereditary and 240 life) and led by the Lord Speaker of the Senate.
 * House of Delegates - The lower house of the Congress, consisting of 640 deputies and led by the Speaker of the House of Delegates.


 * Judicial
 * Supreme Court
 * 1 President of the Court
 * 8 Justices of the Court

The Provinces
Unlike our world, in the PO setting, what we would know as "states" are instead "provinces". As of 1.1.1885, there are forty-five provinces, split into six major regions. Each province has a governor, approved by the Congress, who administers those lands and ensures local law enforcement, tax collection, and public safety.

Additionally, there are ten territories, which are in the process of formally joining the Federated Kingdom as new provinces. These are marked with a "+".


 * New England - Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
 * Mid-Atlantic - Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania
 * South - Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia
 * Mid-West - Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota+, Ohio, South Dakota+, Wisconsin
 * Southwest - Arizona+, New Mexico+, Oklahoma+, Texas
 * West - Alaska+, Colorado, California, Hawaii, Idaho+, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah+, Washington+, Wyoming+

Additionally, there are numerous dominions which comprise the greater American Empire. These include the six provinces of eastern Canada (Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland & Labrador), Mexico, Cuba, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Panama, Samoa, the Marshall Islands, Guam, Formosa, the Philippines, and Vietnam. These territories collectively encompass nearly 2 million square kilometers. Each dominion is led by a governor-general, appointed by the King, who administers it on behalf of the Crown.